Management Team

John Field Scovell

Chief Executive Officer & President

John Scovell joined Hunt Oil Company's real estate division in 1972 and founded Woodbine with Dallas businessman Ray L. Hunt in October 1973. Mr. Scovell has an oversight role, lending organizational support and direction to Woodbine's building committee on all projects. Mr. Scovell has direct involvement with all Woodbine projects. Prior to joining Woodbine, Mr. Scovell was a certified public accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co., and worked in the area of commercial auditing, handling a number of accounts with real estate companies and financial institutions.

Mr. Cihak joined Woodbine in 1984 and was subsequently promoted to treasurer and controller of the company. His responsibilities included developing the overall financial policies and practices; planning and directing treasury functions, budgeting and forecasting; and auditing, tax planning and reporting for projects overseen by Woodbine. In 1999 he was promoted to his current position directing asset management.

Les J. Melcher

Chief Investment Officer

Les Melcher joined Woodbine Development Corporation in 1997 as senior vice president responsible for the company's new project identification, as well as acquisitions and dispositions. He is also responsible for Woodbine's land developments, leasing Woodbine's projects, and expanding existing corporate relationships.

Before joining Woodbine, Mr. Melcher was senior vice president for Transcontinental Corporation in Santa Barbara, California, where he was responsible for all corporate acquisitions and dispositions, and managing all third-party and affiliate company relations. Other prior experience includes various positions in banking, financial advisory services and commercial development.

Dana M. Swope

Senior Vice President - Construction

Dana Swope has lead responsibilty for Woodbine's construction projects. She supervises project management professionals assigned to projects and leads the selection of architectural design, interior design, engineering, construction, FF&E purchasing and installation firms. Her group also provides project budgeting, project scheduling and support for the asset management team.

Ms. Swope joined Woodbine in 1996, prior to which she spent six years in preconstruction services, cost estimating and project administration for Austin Commercial, Inc., in Dallas, Texas, with construction structural responsibilities for major manufacturing facilities for Texas Instruments, Twinstar Semiconductor, Inc., and Advanced Micro Devices.

King Scovell

Vice President - Development

King Scovell joined Woodbine's staff in 2007 and serves as vice president of development. Mr. Scovell works to source, underwrite, finance, close and develop new projects, as well as manages the Woodbine construction team. Mr. Scovell spent five years at Irving, Texas-based JPI, one of the largest and most successful multi-family real estate firms in the nation at the time. At JPI he focused on luxury and student living apartment communities and was exposed to all facets of the business, including construction, asset management, acquisition, capitalization and development.

Dupree Scovell

Managing Director - Woodbine Investment Corporation

Dupree Scovell joined Woodbine in 2011 and is responsible for the company's acquisitions and investment platform and opening a new West Coast office. Prior to joining Woodbine, he worked for Trammell Crow Company in Dallas for five years, serving as a financial analyst and senior development associate focused on acquisition and development of retail and mixed-use real estate.

Mr. Scovell has been recognized by Dallas CEO magazine as one of the “Top 30 Real Estate Professionals under 30.” He was honored by the National Real Estate Forum as one of “Tomorrow's Newsmakers” and by the Dallas Business Journal in its “40 Under Forty” section featuring those who contribute both professionally and civically to the city of Dallas. He has served on numerous boards and commissions, and has been appointed to several positions that are focused on urban education reform and economic development. He was the recipient of the 2010 Harvey Fellowship.